Starlink customers will soon lose access to the company’s free pause feature, as SpaceX transitions users to a new US$5-per-month “Standby Mode.” The change affects Residential, Roam, and Priority subscribers—excluding Enterprise accounts and promotional plans—and takes effect September 13, 2025.
Previously, Starlink users could pause their service at no cost, halting billing until they chose to resume. Now, Standby Mode will keep terminals connected year-round with unlimited low-speed satellite internet capped at 500 Kbps download and upload.
While the slower speeds won’t support streaming or heavy browsing, they will allow emergency messaging, software updates, and basic online functions.
How Standby Mode Works
According to Starlink’s support page, subscribers can activate Standby Mode directly from their Starlink account by selecting the relevant service line, choosing “Pause Current Service,” and confirming. Reactivating high-speed service is just as simple—customers can select “Resume Service” and pick their desired plan. Starlink says resuming from Standby Mode avoids demand surcharges, even in high-capacity areas.
However, there’s a catch for Residential users: pausing doesn’t reserve their slot. If the network is at capacity when they attempt to resume, they may need to switch to another plan type or wait for availability.
Why the Change Matters
For many Roam subscribers, the free pause feature was a key selling point. It allowed them to pay for service only during months they were on the road. Now, those same customers will face at least US$60 a year in standby fees, even if they barely use their dish.
Not All Markets Affected
Starlink notes that the traditional free pause option will remain available in certain countries, particularly in parts of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. In regions where Standby Mode is mandatory, the US$5 monthly fee replaces free pausing across supported plans.
With the September deadline approaching, customers must decide whether to opt into Standby Mode or cancel their paused lines entirely, knowing that rejoining later could mean waiting for network capacity.
Will you continue to use the Pause feature, now that you have to pay? Let us know in the comments below.
